Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Clouds and tempests mark the dawn of 2014. The economy is recovering, we are told, but the people aren’t. Over 20 million people are still in need of full-time work. America, the land of opportunity, now is scarred by more extreme inequality and less mobility than other industrial nations. More of our children grow up in poverty, and we do a worse job of offering them a helping hand up. Gun violence continues to terrorize both mean streets and schools thought to be secure.

Yes, there is much to be thankful for. The wars abroad are drawing down, and we avoided sending soldiers into the calamity in Syria. Slow growth continues to generate new jobs. In states and localities across the country, people are voting to raise the minimum wage. Millions will finally have health care coverage this year that were unable to get it in the past. Children, family, faith and community provide joy and reward.

But the harsh reality of these times is expressed by the fact that 1.3 million Americans who are looking for work will be cut off of jobless benefits in January, because Congress chose not to extend them. At a time when long-term unemployment is at record levels, when too many are looking for too few jobs, this callous act is literally unconscionable.

In the wake of World War I, the Irish poet William Butler Yeats wrote “The Second Coming,” which decried a time when“the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”

This is a similar time. A Republican Party cowed by the“passionate intensity” of its far right ties Washington in knots. They openly scorn the government that they were elected to make work. They fight against asking the rich or the multinationals to pay one cent more in taxes, while slashing spending on programs for the most vulnerable. Across the country, the “passionate intensity” and money of the National Rifle Association blocks any progress on reasonable gun laws.

Congressional Democrats claim to stand for working people. The president calls inequality “the defining challenge of our time.” But too often people of good will “lack all conviction.” Democrats decry the termination of jobless benefits, but they do not fight to extend them.

This will not change at the top. Change won’t come from Washington out. It will only change if citizens of conscience express the “passionate intensity” that now is missing.

We see stirrings in that direction. Pope Francis warns of the “globalization of indifference”and calls for a church “which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy for being confined and from clinging to its own security.”

Writing from his jail cell in Birmingham, Ala., in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King similarly challenged his “fellow clergymen” to stand on the side of justice, rather than remaining “more cautious than courageous,” and remaining “silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained glass windows.”

We are reaching that time again. Washington is tied in knots. Powerful special interests have rigged the rules to serve themselves. They have enlisted the tea party right to oppose any progress. The resulting injustice will only be addressed if people of conscience join with working people to demand a fair deal. It is time to march.

As we make our resolutions for 2014, consider making that one of them. Let’s resolve to demonstrate more “passionate intensity” for justice than those who stand in the way of the changes that we so desperately need. Happy New Year, everyone.

CHICAGO, IL - State Representative Elgie Sims (D - Chicago) is informing residents of the more than 200 new laws scheduled to take effect January 1, 2014.

"It is important that residents are informed about new laws taking effect and the impact they will have on our lives," Sims said. "The New Year will see new laws covering a wide range of issues, laws focusing on better educating and protecting our children, increasing public health and safety and moving Illinois forward."

Below are the highlights of the new laws, including those sponsored by Sims, taking effect January 1st. To see a complete list of all new laws effective January 1, 2014 please visitwww.ilga.gov.

Vehicle Safety

Ban on Cell Phone Usage while Driving - Drivers caught holding cell phones up to their ears could be subject to a $75 fine. Certain exemptions apply, including the use of hands-free devices and two-way radios. (HB 1247, PA 98-506)

Speed Limit increase to 70 MPH - Illinois will join 34 other states, including surrounding states in raising the speed limit on rural Illinois interstates to 70 miles per hour. The bill excludes the urban and suburban counties of Cook, DuPage, Lake, McHenry, Will, Madison and St. Clair from the higher speed limit. (SB 2356*, PA 98-511)

Boating while Intoxicated - A person's driver's license can be suspended for operating a boat while under the influence. The bill also states that the operator of any motorboat involved in a boating accident shall be deemed to have given their consent to testing for alcohol or other intoxicants. (SB 1479, PA 98-103)

Parental engagement

Schools

Bring your parents to school day - Permits local school boards to designate the first Monday in October of each year as "Bring Your Parents to School Day." (HB 129*, PA 98-304)

Familial relations

Parental relations - In situations where parents share joint custody of minor children, this law requires that the other party be given the opportunity to care for the child before someone else is hired or engaged. (HB 2992*, PA 98-462)

Health and Human Services

Medical Marijuana - This law authorizes the use of medical cannabis for patients suffering from certain specific conditions ONLY with physician authorization. (HB 1, PA 98-122)

Tanning Bed Ban for Minors under 18 - Bans tanning facilities from permitting any person under the age of 18 from using tanning booths or beds. Specifies that parental permission does not exempt the person under 18 from the ban. (HB 188*, PA 98-349)

Ban of E-Cigarettes to Minors - Prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. The bill requires sellers to verify that a buyer is over 18. (SB 1756, PA 98-350)

Youth civic engagement

Voting Rights - Allows a person who is 17 on the date of the primary election to vote if that person will be 18 on the date of the general election. (HB 226*, PA 98-360)

Victim Notification- Require State's Attorneys to notify crime victims' immediate family members of their rights to present an impact statement at the sentencing hearing about the effect of the crime on the victim. (HB 827, PA 98-372)

Vandalism of Veterans' Grave Sites - Enhances penalties for vandalism of graves or memorials honoring an individual or group of police officers, firefighters, members of the U.S. armed forces, National Guard, or veterans. (SB 2231, PA 98-315)

Kelsey's Law - Prohibits the issuance of a graduated driver's license to a person under 18 if that person has a traffic citation that has not been dealt with. (HB 1009, PA 98-168)

Veterans' Affairs

Priority Enrollment for Service Members - Requires state colleges and universities to give the earliest possible enrollment opportunity to service members and veterans who are Illinois residents. (SB 2245*, PA 98-316)

Fiscal transparency

State Budget -Requires the Governor's office to place the entire state budget online within 60 days of its enactment. (HB 2955, PA 98-461)

Consumer protection - Housing

Housing Cooperative - Law requires that Not For Profit Corporations hold an open meeting and vote of the members before dissolution of the cooperative is authorized. (HB 2527*, PA 98-302)

Animal Rights

Puppy Lemon Law - Provides certain remedies to a customer who purchased a dog or cat that possesses or has died from certain diseases or illness, if within 21 days of the date of sale, a licensed veterinarian states in writing that at the time of sale the animal was unfit for purchase due to illness or disease. (SB 1639, PA 98-509)

*Law sponsored by State Representative Elgie Sims

Sims represents the 34th Illinois House District, which includes portions of the South Side of Chicago, Chicago's south suburbs, Will and Kankakee counties.

We are pleased to announce the Water Fee Exemption Compliance Workshop Session I held on December 17, 2013 was an overwhelming success!

The City of Chicago has released the application for eligibility determination of exemption from water charges. Please review and carefully follow the directions. If you require technical assistance, Water Fee Exemption Compliance Workshop Session II will be held on January 14, 2014 at New Home Baptist Church located at 4550 W. Polk Street at 8:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Let us help to provide you with the technical assistance from experienced professionals to apply for exemptions which you are entitled. You must register for this session via the indicated website.The deadline is Tuesday, January 12, 2014 11:59 pm.Do not delay in your RSVP to pre-register. After the first successful session, spaces are quickly filling up.